Last-gasp Strockosch try seals Scotland win over Italy

left

right

Tommy Seymour (R) of Scotland is challenged Alberto Sgarbi of Italy during the four-nation tournament at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria June 22, 2013.
REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

1/5

left

right

Johnnie Beattie (C) of Scotland is challenged by Leandro Cedaro (L) and Robert Barbieri of Italy during the four-nation tournament at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 22, 2013.
REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

2/5

left

right

Robert Barbieri (L) of Italy is challenged by Sean Lamont of Scotland during the four-nation tournament at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 22, 2013.
REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

3/5

left

right

Matt Scott (C) of Scotland is challenged Alberto di Bernardo (L) and Davide Giazzon of Italy during the four-nation tournament at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria June 22, 2013.
REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

4/5

left

right

Tim Swinson (C) of Scotland is challenged by Sergio Parisse (L) and Davide Giazzon of Italy during the four-nation tournament at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria June 22, 2013.
REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

PRETORIA (Reuters)- Scotland flanker Alasdair Strockosch crashed over the try-line after the final hooter to secure a dramatic 30-29 victory over Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The try provided a simple conversion chance for Greig Laidlaw to clinch a first win for Scotland in the final game of their three-match tour of South Africa. They lost to Samoa and the Springboks.

Italy dominated the match at scrum time, forcing a penalty try from one set-piece to go with an early score from winger Leonardo Sarto.

Scotland ran the ball well in the opening half and scored tries through Matt Scott and Sean Lamont before snatching victory at the death.

The Italians made a fast start and scored the opening try from the kickoff when left-wing Sarto ghosted through a gap in the Scottish line to touch down 50 seconds into his test debut.

It was an open start and Scotland's reply was almost instant, lock Tim Swinson finding generous space in the Italian line and his break allowed Scott to score.

Italy were architects of their own downfall for the Scots' second try as they had the opportunity to clear a ball chipped towards their goal-line, but Gio Venditti inexplicably tried to run the ball out.

When he coughed it up in the tackle, it provided a simple chance for Lamont to touch down under the posts.

Much had been spoken of how crucial the scrums would be in this match and it was obvious from the start that the Italians had the upper hand.

After giving up two scrum penalties in succession five metres from their own line, when Italy provided more pressure at the third attempt, the Scottish pack collapsed and referee Leighton Hodges awarded the penalty try.

The teams traded penalties after that and went into the break locked at 20-20.

The second half became a place-kicking duel with Italian flyhalf Alberto di Bernardo slotting three attempts at goal to end the match with 19 points and put Italy 29-23 ahead with 80 minutes showing on the clock.

But Strockosch collected the ball 15 metres out and after Italy number eight Sergio Parisse had dashed out to try intercept the pass, he broke through a hole in the defensive line to score.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)

Next In Sports News

LONDON More than 1,000 Russian competitors across more than 30 sports were involved in an institutional conspiracy to conceal positive drug tests as Moscow "hijacked international sport" over the course of five years, an independent WADA report said on Friday.

LONDON British police investigating allegations of widespread child sex abuse at football clubs dating back to the 1970s said on Friday they had identified 83 potential suspects and possible links to 98 clubs, including some from the Premier League.

Trending Stories

Sponsored Topics

Reuters is the news and media division of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Learn more about Thomson Reuters products: